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Sep 28, 2013

Heavier than Air: Rarest Eggs is a double-disc set containing nothing but previously unreleased Budgie songs. There are both live recordings and studio outtakes on the collection, with the live cuts outnumbering the studio material by a wide margin. There's nothing particularly revelatory here, and it is certainly just for Budgie fanatics, but they'll likely be pleased by this well-assembled set.

Sep 24, 2013

Review by Nightfly (progarchives.com):
Sense
Of The Absurd, released in 1995 was the first time any Patto music had
been made available on cd. The original albums having sold poorly were
also hard to come by and pricey if you did manage to find one in decent
condition. In these days of ebay their first two albums on vinyl
regularly sell for £200 plus. Although the albums are now available
individually Sense Of The Absurd gives the buyer an opportunity to get
their eponymous debut and Hold Your Fire, presented here on two discs in
the original running order with the addition of some welcome bonus
tracks which are worthy of inclusion... Read more

Parting Should Be Painless is Roger Daltrey's fifth solo album released in 1984. The vinyl album was released on Atlantic 80128-1, USA, and reached #102 in the U.S. music charts. A single from the album "Walking In My Sleep" reached #56 in the U.S. singles charts

Tracklist:1. Walking In My Sleep2. Parting Should Be Painless

3. Is There Anybody Out There?4. Would A Stranger Do?5. Going Strong6. Looking For You7. Somebody Told Me8. One Day9. How Does The Cold Wind Cry10. Don't Wait On The Stairs

Sep 21, 2013

Who
were BRAM STOKER and the mysterious T. Brodson who composed all the
tracks? This enigmatic 1972 release was recorded for Woolworths generic
Windmill label and recorded presumably by session players to cash in on
the early seventies success of bands like BLACK SABBATH, ATOMIC ROOSTER
and BLACK WIDOW. The BRAM STOKER moniker evokes macabre gothic
atmospheres, and so does their music with tracks like "Blitz" conjuring
up a doom laden sound. The LP "Heavy Rock Spectacular" is a true lost
pearl of original prog, dominated by moody Hammond organ that owes much
to keith Emerson's influence. There are NICE overtones too with their
own "Fingals Cave" whilst the sounds on "Poltergeist" seem to come
straight from a gothic 'Hammer Horror'(www.progarchives.com)

Sep 18, 2013

England
(Not the England who recorded "Garden Shed"), was an English
progressive rock band band formed in 1971 by guitarist, Olly Alcock.
Originally the band included drummer, Mike Kidson, who later became
Genesis' road manager, and bassist John Waite, who released the big hit
"Missing You" in 1984. Despite constant touring, the band never hit the
big time. By 1973, Olly Alcock was the only remaining England member. In
1974, he recruited bassist, Ben Eggleston, drummer John Clark, and
saxophonist, Paul Rossiter. The band continued gigging and touring,
still without any noticeable success or a record deal. By 1975, drummer
John Clark had left the band. By 1976, England had secured a small
record deal. Drummer, Phil Cook joined the band, and Paul Rossiter
became more of a background player. The late, great Alexis Korner
thought highly of the band. The band's first s/t release posted here,
sank without a trace. By 1978, England had split up. Olly Alcock formed
The Olly Alcock Band. Ben Eggleston retired from the music scene, and
Phil Cook seems to have disappeared! England was quite a good
progressive blues rock band, often compared to bands like Nektar, and
Wishbone Ash. On this s/t album, all the songs were played 'live' and
only the vocals were added later. A decent prog/hard blues rock album
with some above average songs, great raw guitar, and nice sax work.
Vocals could be better, as they sound slightly "off key" at times.
However, this was a privately issued album, with a very limited
circulation. With more studio production, this could have been a far
better album.

Sep 7, 2013

ROCOCO
were one of the most exciting rock bands performing in London in the
70’s and were usually categorised-as everything had to be in those
days-as a progressive rock group, a genre well represented on “The
Firestorm And Other Love Songs”, the second album from Angel Air Records
which was recorded in the period 1973 to 1978. Released a year after
their debut album, the critically acclaimed “Run For The Wildfire”
(SJPCD337), the second collection also features the band’s lighter side,
further revealing the diversity and range of styles and the ability to
switch from one to another with ease, that made it difficult for record
labels to figure them out. The band, featuring Roy Shipston, Ian Raines,
Rod Halling, Clive Edwards and John “Rhino” Edwards, had three singles
released in that era but no LPs, although they recorded more than enough
material for two albums. They had singles “Wildfire” and “Ultrastar”
out on Decca’s “progressive” Deram label and “Follow That Car” on
Mountain Records, but both declined to take up options because the
follow-up “45s” the band presented were too much of a contrast to the
original songs. Even before their second single release in 1976, Rococo
were frequently referred to as “the best unsigned band in London”. Now,
with today’s de-classifications and mish-mash of music styles, at least
one record company understands what Rococo were about. Fans of rock and
pop music that saw them then-and those who have heard the band
since-always did.